sampselle



i n INVENTOR Wdh; W. SamPseIe BY www 8 l 2 n m, m 3 7 s 2 h 0m- S l 3 N F E. T 9 |l E m u. m y. W m I D A M. S L W D N A I., 1- om S W K a mv mm C l1 e T a s lm mm In] m M n mw lh. S IM. Ame A no d hw .m\. E T *m no l\-. w .l l 5 mw 0F mn nrw 2 m .N m 9 9, w @N l N 1 2 t. 7 .w ,w H EL F u. I un l Feb- 7, 1956 w. w. sAMPsELLE 2,733,728

TANK TRUCKS AND LOADING SYSTEM THEREFOR Filed Oct. 29, 1952 Z5 Sheetg-Sht Z INVENTOR Willis W. Sampulte www Feb. 7, 1956 w. W. sAMPsELLE 2,733,728

TANK TRUCKS AND LOADING SYSTEM THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 29, 1952 INVENTOR Willis W. Sam'aulh www Size. tank trucks with pressure venting systems carried in the United States Patent TANK TRUCKS AND LOADING SYSTEM rnnnnron This invention relates to certain new and useful irnprovements in tank trucks, particularly of the type adapted for use inthe cross country transportation of inflammable liquids, such as gasolene and the like, and further relates to new and useful improvements in tank truck loading systems, particularly adapted for usein conjunction with tank trucks of the type and kind referred to in this application. u

The practice, as heretoforerfollowed in the loading of conventional tank trucks using conventional loading means, has been particularly characterized bya highly undesirable and dangerous loss of fluid through the escape 4of fumes from the pressure venting systems of such tank trucks as the load of lluid is introduced into the truck during loading., Vln addition tothe actual loss of fluid sustained by the escape of such fumes, which, in extended operation, will amount to a very substantial quantity of such tluid in the loading of tank trucks with volatile lluids such as gasolene'and other highly intlammablefsubstances, the escape of the vapor and fumes during such loading operation has resulted in an extreme danger of explosion and combustion which `has inV many instances further resulted in property damage and loss of life.

It has heretofore been conventional to provide tank trucks with inlet openings, usually contained in domes carried as a Superstructure by the tank body of such trucks for the purpose of receiving the delivery. of tluids for transportation in such trucks from overhead and discharge by gravity into the tank interior. `Conventionallyvtank interiors are divided by bulk heads or other suitable wall structures into'compartments of desirable lt has further been conventional to provide such 2,733,72 Patented Feb. 7, 1956 ICC is adapted to accommodate loading of the tank truck without loss of vapors during such process.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tank truck which is particularly adapted during loading of the truck to conduct vapors discharged'from volatile fluids introduced into the interior of the truck by return line back into the pumping system by which the loading is accomplished.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tank truck which is adapted to be loaded by an underloading system, which is loaded from below rather than an overhead loading System.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loading system for tank trucks which is adapted lto underload Such trucks.

A further object of the invention is to provide a loading system for tank trucks which includes means for cleansing the loading system of, the uid being loaded into the tank truck after cessation of such loading.

A further object of the invention is to generally improve the eliiciency and safety of loading tank trucks with fluids; and

Av further object of the invention is to generally improve the design, construction and etliciency of liquid-carrying trucks. Y

The means by which the foregoingand other objects i of the invention are accomplished and themanner of domes so as to relieve excessive pressure'whichmay build f up in the contents of the tank, as during transportation.

Such pressure venting systemshavevnormally comprised the -use of oneor morepressure vent'valves carried by Such domes, such valves incorporating a central inlet passageway, including a suitable check valve, against exhaust outwardly through such inlet openings and a the interior of the respective chambers of such tanks.

ln conventional filling of tank trucks Vas the Huid isV introduced through the upperV opening, vaporization of such uids, which is .particularly acute with volatile fluids ofv the character of'gasolene andthe like, hasv been permitted to escape'from the'vdischarge passageways ef the pressure "venting system, resulting in a consequent loss of the luid being introduced into the tank truck ,and in addition broadcasting the vapors around the exterior of the tank truck, which, in the case of volatile tluids such as gasolene, v*has created, as i pointed out above, a serious risk and danger.

` The-principal object of theV present invention is' toY provide anew and novel tanktruck` construction'which theiraccornplishment will be readily understood from the following specification on reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. l is a plan view of the loading system of the present invention, Aillustrated as coupled to Vand electing loading of a tank-type trailer. i

Fig. 2 is a side elevationalview of the device as seen in Fig. l. t

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale,tak'en as on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 iS a cross sectional View on an enlarged scale taken as on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view on a scale similar to the scale of Fig. l, taken as on the line V-V of Fig. 4. l

`Fig. 6 is Va fragmentary top plan view on a further enlarged scale with certain portions broken away for purposes of illustration, illustrating the arrangement of the domes and the valving of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VII- VII of Fig'. 6; and,

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken as on the line VIII- VIII of Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, it will be seen that the present invention particularly comprises a new tank-type body 11, particularly Vadapted for use with the new `and novel loading system 13. t t.

Loading system 13 is adapted for connection as to a storage tank 1S, discharge lfrom the storage tank being controlled as through a suitable valve 17 connected to a pipe V1,9, pipe 19 being connected to a suitable pump 21, driven by suitable means, such as a motor 23. Discharge from pump 21 is delivered by a pipe 25 to a gate valve 27 and through gate valve 27 into a meter 29 by which ow from discharge pipe 25 is'measured. Coupled to t the end of discharge pipe 25, as by a suitable coupling 31,V

` as by a quick coupler 40 to a return discharge valve Eduction system 41 comprises arbranch line 47 leading through a one-way check valve 49 to a venturi-'type eductor 51, discharge from eductor 51 being led by a line 53k through a gate valve 55 into return line 35 between check valve -43 and connection 41, las at 56. Preferably gate valve V55 is coupled to gate valve 27, as by a lever 57,

for jointV and concurrent operation of the gate valves 55, 27 by shift of the lever 57. The valves 55, 27 are arranged in opposite positions so that uponrconcurrent shift of same through lever 57 one of the valves will be closed as'the other of the `valves is `opened and vice versa.V

' An end branch line 59 from the return line 35 is led through agone-way check valve 61'into a connection 63. Opposit'ely leading into connection 63 is an `end branch line/65 leading from discharge pipe 25. The end branch lines 59, 65 are respectively connected to the lines 25, 35 adjacent the couplings 31, 39 so as to connect the respective ends of the discharge line and the return line Yinto the eductor system. Leading from the connection 63 and receivingflow'from the end branch lines 59, 65, is a pipe .67 `which leads through a suitable one-way check valve 69 toward and into eductor 51.

Truck body V11 is preferably divided by bulk heads 71 into compartments 11A, 11B, 11C. Each of the compartments is-provided at its lower end Ywith a collecting sump 73 and each of the compartments is supplied with a remote control valve 75 mounted 'in communication with the sump'73 and-preferably remotely operated as by pneumatic controls of conventional design, the controls for valve 75 not being shown in detail. Each of the compartment valves is connected by pipes 77 into a mani-V fold 79, manifold 79 being provided with a plurality of gate valves 81 respectively adapted to control liow through the pipes 77 to or from the manifold 79. Manifold 79 is connected through a gate valve 53 to a suitable spout 55, the spout 85Y being preferably provided with atting adapted to receive and be engaged by the quick coupler 34..

It will be observed that each of the sumps 73 is located substantially on lower longitudinal mid line of truck tank body 11 and that manifold 79 is positioned to one side of the tank body, preferably being housed in ya suitable casing' or housing Y87. Likewise mounted in the housing S7 is the discharge end 39 of Va collector pipe 91. The'discharge end-of the pipe \is provided with a suitable iitting which is adapted 'to receive and be engaged by a quickcoupler 40. Control `of'llow from collector pipe 91 through discharge end 89 is' eifectedby agate valve 93, likewise mounted Vin housing'87.

vExtending longitudinally/"of tank Vbody 11 and preferably-laterally. offset from the longitudinal line of the'bottom of the body is a ilat or shelf 95, the truck body being formed toprovide for thisshelf. V-The shelf is apertured into each of the bodycompartments 11A, 11B, 11C and intoreach of the apertures is communicated a remoteA control valve 97, preferably, like the valves y75, being-conf Vtrolled by'conventional pneumatic controlv means, which are not shown. EachV of the valves 97 is connected as by n p1pes 99 to collector pipe 1 so as tofcorn'rnunicateV the valves 97 with collector pipe 91.

Surroundingandroverlying each Aof the apertures into the compartments through the shelf and'seated on theshelf are barrel-like hollow bases 101, in the top of which bases 101 are mounted stand pipes 103. Preferably theA stand pipes are convolute so`as to position the upper l end'of the stand pipes adjacent the vertical Vcenter line of the tank body, as is best shown in Fig. 4. To the -upper ends of the stand pipes 103 are rotatably secured, as by friction collars 105, elbows 107. AIt will be seen that the upper ends of stand pipes 103 at the point of connection of the elbows thereto is substantially horizontal and that the elbow is so arranged with relation thereto that the free ends of elbows 107 may be rotated in a vertical line of movement substantially along the vertical mid line of the body., The free ends of elbows 107 are open, providing a mouth for each of the composite stand pipes consisting of stand pipe section 103, collar and elbow 107, the elbows communicating the open mouth into the interior ofthe stand pipes, and thence into the hollow bases 101, from which major ow is controlled by the remote control Yvalves 97. Preferably each of the hollow bases 101 is provided with a small volume discharge pipe 109, the open end of pipes 109 respectively projecting into the compartments of the tank body adjacent the'terminal edge'of shelf 95.

lt will be seen that elbows 107 by virtue of the rotatable connection between the elbows and stand pipes 103 may be adjusted as indicated in Figi 5, soas to vary the position of the open mouths of elbows 107 and consequently to vary the usable capacity of the'tank compartments be yond which overflow into elbows 107 and stand pipes 103 will be accomplished.

Each of the compartments at its upper end isprovided with a dome 111 which preferably includes adownwardly depending skirt112, skirt^112 projecting through the shell of tank body 11. VA suitable manhole cover 113 is provided to cover each of thedomes, the upper portion of the domes having a conventional opening formed therethrough which is covered by the manhole cover. Preferably the domes are. each provided with Va pair of'pressure relief vents 115, the vents preferably consisting of a substantially-cylindrical body-portion having a central bore l117 provided with a one-way spring-loaded check valve 119 adapted to preventV outflow of air, fumes, liquid, or other mattei' through the central bore 117 and being adapted to yield to a difference of pressure so as to permit the inlet of air or other'material through the central bore. The cylindrical body of the pressure relief vent systems is preferably provided with a plurality of vertically extending passageways 121 which are provided with suitable check valves preventing in'ow through the vertical passageways 121 while permitting outow therethrough. Preferably the vertical passageways 121 are arranged peripherally about the central bore 117 and are segregated from the central bore 117 by the material of the relief valve body. Each of the relief valve assemblies is capped with a suitable cap 123 carried by the manhole cover. ln order to control outflow through the vertical valve passageways 121 a remotely controlledvalve system is provided therefor by the present invention. Y

Rigidly secured-'to Athe skirt 112 within the'tank body is a bracket 125. The brackets 3125 are preferably substantially U-shaped members, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, with the legsof the U projectingA inwardly across the interior of domes 111. 'Ifo theupperflegs 126 of brackets 125 at their inner ends, are Vhingedly secured.` as by hinges 127 angular flap valve members 128. Onelegi of the angle ap valves 128'is provided with'a pair of spaced apertures 1279 which 'are positioned to underlie the respective central bores 117 so as not to impede with Vthe operation of the spring-loaded check valves 11,9.

The material ofthe Hap members annularly about the spaced apertures 129 is adapted to underlie and close off the lower end of the vertical valverpa'ssageways 121. The opposite legs of angular flap members 128 project downwardly from hinge 127 by which theap members are attached to the upper bracket legs 126, andv at its lower end'isv preferably provided with a recessed abutment por- 7tion 131, which is positioned to be engaged by the ,thrust rod -133 .of apneumatically operated piston-and-cylinder assembly' 135. -TheV-piston-and-cylinder assemblies 135 i rigidly mounted upon the lower legs 136 of brackets 125. The piston-and-cylinder assemblies 135 are directly operated responsive to the introduction of air pressure thereinto and are each provided with an air pressure line 137, the air pressure lines 137 respectively being extended through the skirts 112 of domes 111 above the surface of tank body 11 and being connected to an air pressure supply line 139, which preferably is extended downwardly. about the exterior ofthe tank body and into housing 87. Air is supplied to the air supply line 139 through a conventional air control valve 141 within housing 87, the

Vvalve 141 being connected by an air line 143 to a source of air pressure, such as the compressed air supply lines 145 of the tank body 11. A connection between air line 143 and trailer air supply 145 may be made, as at 147. Y

In the operation and use of the device tank body 11 is positioned adjacent loading system 13 for the purpose of receiving thereinto the liquid to be discharged from the loading system. Elbows 107 on stand pipes 103 are adjusted to establish the desired level of liquid to be received and retained in the respective compartments of the tank body. Flexible hose 33 is coupled by coupler 34 to the spout 85 of manifold 79 and flexible return hose 37 is coupled by coupler 40 to the discharge end 89 of collector pipe 91.4 Gate valve lever 57 is manipulated so as to close gate valve 55 and concurrently to open gate valve 27. Manifold valve 83 is opened as are the valves 81 and discharge gate valve 83 is likewise opened.

Through the operation of the remote controls the valves 75 and the valves 97 are opened. Air under pres# sure is introduced from air supply '145 through air line 143 into air supply line 139 and thence through air pressure lines 137 into the respective piston-and-cylinder assemblies 135, effecting thrust upon'the pistons therein projecting the thrust rods 133 inwardlyinto abutment with the abutment portions 131 of the llap valves 128, moving the apertured portion of the angular tlap members upwardly so as to effect closing oi of the vertical valve i passageways 121.v

With the devices thus prepared loading of the tank truck from the storage tank 15 may be begun, the tank valve 17 beingopened and the pump' 21 put into operation discharging liquid from the tank through meter 29,

' thence through hose 33 into manifold 79V and through pipes 77, through'valves 75, now open, to flow into the interior of the respective tank compartments 11A, 11B, 11C. It will be seen that this loading operation is being conducted by introducing the liquid into the compartments of the tank body from below to flow upwardly under the pressure produced by pump 21 to eiiect lling of the tank body, thus eliminating the splashing and other possible dangerous incidents heretofore attendant upon loading which has been accompanied by gravity discharge.

It will be seen that as the liquid is introduced into the tank body the fumes therefrom will immediately begin to escape, this being particularly accentuated in connec- V tionV with Volatile liquids, such as gasolene and the like.

provide forY the egress of the air previously lling the interior of the compartmentstherefrom, and it will be seen that theopen stand pipe assemblies, consisting of elbows V107, stand pipes 103, hollow bases 101 communieating through valves 97 into pipes 99, and thence to collector pipe V91 are effective to provide for the discharge of such air from the interior of the compartments.

In addition this outiiow of the fluid Ysuch as air from the respective compartments will similarly carry with it any vapors or fumes whichV may be discharged from the in- A flowing liquid.

It will be observed that the collector pipe 91 is cori# nected through its discharge end 89 into return hose 37 which is connectedto return line 35, flowing thence back into the main discharge system through connection V41 into pipe line 19.

When the truck has been filled to capacity as desired and established by the adjustment of elbows 107 relative to stand pipes 103, further introduction of liquid into the tanks by continued pumping will cause overow vinto the open mouths of elbows 107 and thence through the stand pipes into the collector pipe 91 to return to the pumping system. As a result the loading system is positively prevented from delivering more than the desired quantity of liquid into the tank interior, the adjustment of the elbows establishing the upper level beyond which overiiow will occur. f

When loading has been completed to the desired capacity it is then desirable to remove from the loading lines and from the system excess volatile liquid whichv may remain therein. Gate valve lever 57 may then be shifted efecting'closure of the discharge gate valve 27 and effecting opening of the gate valve 55. It is also desirable at this point to shut olf valves 75 so as to interrupt'any back ow therethrough from the tank compartments. With the gate va1ve 55 opened and gate valve 27 closed, discharge ilow from pump 21 to discharge pipe 25 is by-passed into the eduction means 45.. The flow through the venturi-type eductor 51 so accelerates the rate of ilow as to create a partial vacuum in pipe 67,

Thus it will be seen that the system is cleansed of excess liquid remaining therein. t

'When the eduction .system .cleansing operation has been'concluded the remote valves 97 may be closed, shut',- ting olf ow through therespective valves and readying the device for disengagement with the loading system, which may be effected by disengaging the couplers 34, 40 from spout and dischargevtting 89. Air pressure may be bled from the piston-and-cylinder assemblies 135, releasing the force exerted upon the thrust rods -133 and releasing the angle flapvalves 127 to open by moving away from the lower ends of vertical valve passageways 121. Y

It will `be seen that the tank is vthus loaded` and is ready for departure in transportation. It has been found that during transportation portions of the contents of the tank will, due to changes `in level inthe tank body, be caused to flow into the open mouths raf-elbows 107, andrin order to prevent any accumulation or continued.

standing of the tank-contained liquids inthe standpipesgV i 11, discharge thereof is accomplished through spoutv85,

one or more of the valves 81 being opened andV one or more of the corresponding Valves 75 being opened ef# fecting communicating between one or more of the tank compartments with manifold 79. Flow outwardly through spout 85 may then be accomplished by opening valve S3.

I claim: f

l. A liquid loading system for tank bodies, a liquid delivery` line, means for connecting said delivery line to Va tank body, a return line, eduction Vmeans interposed This liquid' is col- Y `livery into saidrreturn line.

.n said lines, said eductionvmeans, comprisingan eductor, abypassline connecting saiddeliveryline tol said eductor, an `eduction discharge line connecting said eductor ,to said return line, a branchline ,communicating the endof said delivery line for ow to said eductora valve in said deliveryline between said bypass line and .said branch line, a second valve in said eduction .discharge line between saidfeductor andA saidreturn line, one or" said valves being in open position for flow and the other of .said `valves beingY in closedy position against flow, said valves lbeing coupled for concurrentl shift to close said one valve .and open said other valve and reverse shift to return said valves to the iirst said valve positions, shift of said .yalves to closed position of .said delivery line valve and .open position of said eduction linevalve establishing ow through said eductor to withdraw liquid from said branch line and said connecting means for delivery into said return line.

j2. Ina liquid loading system for tank bodiesV comprising a liquid `delivery line, means for connecting said delivery line to a tank body, a return line, means for connecting said return line, to a tank body, eduction means ,interposedrin said lines, said eduction means comprisv ing an eductor, a bypass line connecting said delivery line to said eductor, an education dischargeV line connecting said eductor to said return line, branch lines respectively communicating the ends of said delivery and return lines ,for flow to said eductor, a valve'in said delivery line between said bypass line and said delivery branch t line, a second valve in said eduction discharge line Ybetween said eductor and said return line, one of said valves being in open position for iiow and the other of-said valves'being in closed position againstow, said valves being coupled for concurrent shift to close said one valve Vand open said other valve and reverse shift to return said valves to the first said valve positions, shift of said valves to closed position ,of said delivery line valve and open position of said eduction line valve establishing lflow through said eductor to withdraw liquid from 'saidbranch lines and said connecting means for delivery into said return line.

3. A liquidloading system for tank bodies comprisfinga liquid supply, a'liquid delivery line connected to said supply, a pump interposed in said delivery line,

VVrneans forconnecting said delivery line to a tank body,

'aV returndineymeans'.for connecting said return vline Vto a tank'body, said return linebeing connectedlinto said delivery line between saidpump and said supply, educ- Vtion means interposed in said lines, said eduction means comprising an eductor, a bypass line connecting said delivery`line to said eductor, Van eduction discharge line connecting said eductor to said returnline, branch Ilines respectively communicating the ends of said delivery and return lines for flow to said eductor, a valve in said delivery line between said bypass line and said delivery branch line, a second valve in said eduction discharge line between said eductor and said return line, one of said valves being in open position for ilow and the other of said valves being in closed position against flow,

l said valves being coupled for concurrent shift to close said one valve and open said other valve and reverse shiftl toreturn said valves to the iirst said valve positions, shift ofsaid valves to closed position of said delivery line valve and openV position of said eductionline valve establishing flow through said eductor to withdrawliquid from said branch lines and said connecting means forY de- 4. In combination with av liquid supply, a delivery line communicated at one end to said supply, a return line connected into said delivery line adjacent said supply, a tanktype vehicle body having a manifold, pipe means communicating said manifold with the bottom of the interior of said body, said delivery line being detachably connected to said manifold, said body including a collector, means detachably connecting said collector to said return line, and eduction means coupled to said delivery and return lines, said eductionrmeans including valve means for bypassing delivery'ow to establish eduction ow,

5. A liquid loading system for tank bodies, a liquid delivery line, means for connecting said delivery line to a tankbody, a return line, eduction means interposed in said lines, said eduction means comprising an eductor, a bypass line connecting saiddelivery line to said eductor, an eduction discharge line connecting said eductor to said return line, a branch line communicating the end of said delivery-line for flow to said eductor, a valve in said delivery lineV between said 'bypass line and said branch line, shift of said valve to closedA position of said delivery line establishing ilow through s aid eductor to withdraw liquid from said branch line and said connecting means for delivery into said return line.

6. A liquid loading system for tank bodies, a liquid delivery line, means for connecting said delivery line to a tank body, a return line,'eduction means interposed in said lines,said eduction means comprising an eductor, a bypass line connectingrsaid delivery line to said eductor, aneduction ,discharge line connecting said eductor to said v return line, a branch line .communicating the end of said delivery line for flow to said eductor, a valve in said delivery linebetween said bypass line and said branch line, a second valve in said eduction discharge line between saideductor and said return line, one of said valves being in open position for flow and the other of said valves being in closed position against ilow, shift of said valves to closed position of said Vdelivery line valve and open position of said eduction .line valve establishing ow through said eductor vto withdraw liquid from said branch line and said connecting means for delivery into said return line.

7A A liquid loading system for tank bodies, a liquid delivery line, means for connecting said delivery line to a tank body, a return line, eduction means interposed in said lines, said eduction means including valve means vfor establishing flow from said 'delivery line through said eduction means to withdraw liquid from said connecting means for delivery into -said return line.

References Cited inthe file of this patent Y UNiri-:D STATI-:s PATENTS Whiting Nov. zo, 1883 l,780,605 Spinney Nov. 4, 1930 `1,949,364 Ball f Feb. 27, 1934 12,056,828 Clawson Oct. 6, 1936 .2,236,347 Stancliffe Mar. 25, 1941 .2,301,821 f Scott Nov. l0, 1942 2,384,628 t Krone Sept. 11,v 1945 `2,439,887 Elliott Apn 20, 1948 2,460,159 White lan. 25, 1949 ,2,537,266 Cranberg Jan. 9, 1951 2,539,663 Hague Jan. 30, 1951 2,588,869,4 Pinaire Mar. ll, 1952 f FOREiGN 'PATENTS 5 V103,570 N Switzerland Mar. l, 1924 

